Work more? Perl makes a method call once at compile time. It is one of the cheapest method calls you'll see. If you honestly object to using the clearest and most widely documented method to bypass strict references because you're concerned with the overhead of a method call, then perhaps you should take up something other than Perl programming. Because Perl's attitudes about efficiency simply aren't a fit for your type A, performance oriented personality.

Furthermore if a coworker of mine objects as strongly as you just did to working with people who don't know that you can bypass the strict 'refs' check with (\&$foo)->(), then I'd support solving the problem by getting rid of said coworker. Because said coworker clearly values personal cleverness over clear code, and team dynamics.